Word Origin & History

measure c.1300, from O.Fr. mesurer, from L.L. mensurare "to measure," from L. mensura "a measuring, a thing to measure by," from mensus, pp. of metiri "to measure," from PIE *ma-/*me- "measure" (see meter (2)). Replaced O.E. cognate mæð "measure." The noun also is attested from c.1300. Meaning "treatment 'meted out' to someone" is from 1590s; that of "plan or course of action intended to obtain some goal" is from 1690s; sense of "legislative enactment" is from 1759. To measure up "have the necessary abilities" is 1910, Amer.Eng. Phrase for good measure (late 14c.) is lit. "ample in quantity, ...in goods sold by measure." Related: Measuring.